Building outdoors

[2bits]

I will be starting a new build this spring and won't have a garage this time. I will have a carport, but prefer to keep that for the cars, so I am looking for ideas suggestions and photos of what people have done when they built outdoors to make it easier, and to help keep things dry.

My first idea is to build a small carport for it to use during the build and for after it's done. It will be a tiny standy.

Any thoughts beyond praying it doesn't rain???

[starleen2]

Thomas - I stored major portions of the green lantern inside our home until I was ready for assembly. Since the walls were only 5'3" tall - they fit rather easily through the house doors. We kept both walls and end wall inside in another room until I was ready to put them together. If you keep your wall height lower than your doors - you can do the same. At least the walls will be out of the weather until time of final assembly.

I know you might not want them inside your home - but it sure is a motivating factor to finish when you have to look at the every day!:twisted:

Also avoid using the "blue tarps" for keeping water out of the build - they tend to degrade and leak - the silver ones with the brown backing are much better shedding water in case you have to cover up during a thunderstorm

[Moho]

Have you considered self storage for the short time? Most have a $1 first month and like 40-50 per month for every month thereafter for a typical 1 car garage size. They are always rented on a month to month basis. I would think the cost of this would be less than building a temp storage cover.

Found a Public Storage in Dallas doing it for $1 first month and $45 thereafter

http://www.publicstorage.com/storage-search-landing.aspx?location=dallas#ll=32.802955,-96.769923;st=storage;vd=12.760148553437202;zl=11;iz=11;ild=0.2197265625;idi=dallas_tx;idn=Dallas;mp=-1;f=storagedriveupaccess;pi=;ms=2;si=

[2bits]

I don't think I would consider a self storage place. I will be living in the boonies when I start the project and I want to have everything. on site. I am doing the same sort of thing right now building my Monte Carlo at my old house which has a garage and it is a drag having to load all the tools up each time, and missing stuff that you left back at the house etc. Plus half the fun will be working out under the trees!

[chartle]

Have you considered self storage for the short time? Most have a $1 first month and like 40-50 per month for every month thereafter for a typical 1 car garage size. They are always rented on a month to month basis. I would think the cost of this would be less than building a temp storage cover.

Found a Public Storage in Dallas doing it for $1 first month and $45 thereafter

http://www.publicstorage.com/storage-search-landing.aspx?location=dallas#ll=32.802955,-96.769923;st=storage;vd=12.760148553437202;zl=11;iz=11;ild=0.2197265625;idi=dallas_tx;idn=Dallas;mp=-1;f=storagedriveupaccess;pi=;ms=2;si=

Do you mean actually building in one?

First you wouldn't have access to stuff like water and electricity and second most of the places I have looked into have a clause that its for storage only.

I know its not the same but some people have tried to live in them, $45 a month rent (hey most units are bigger than most apartments in NYC ). One guy used it to take "dates" to.

[kirkman]

I built mine in my drive way. I have a shed that I had the tool and wood in but the entire build was in my driveway. At the end of the day or if it rained I just covered it with a good tarp. Now I did build a bare bones tear and had it done in 29 days. But It can be done. Good luck!

[2bits]

I am hoping that most of my build will be from the inside out. I want to guy the interior down to the framework, then work in sections replacing any of the bad frame in front, and the rear will be building a completely new frame to give it a teardrop shape and simply laying the existing roof down over it, and trimming the sides to match. Then, I'll fill in the rest of the interior. We'll see how that works when I get into the job! I know alot of people have successfully built them in their driveways, and I like the idea of keeping alot of the pieces indoors Scott, I think since I am working with an existing camper, I could store the stuff inside there at least before I rip open the back.

[aggie79]

Hey Thomas,

Are you planning to restore the canned ham in your signature line? That should be a cool project.

I can't help as to building outside other than it may be worth the investment to build the carport first.

Can't wait to see the build pics!

Take care,
Tom

[2bits]

Hi Tom,

Yup as soon as I get moved and settled, I plan on pulling it out of my mom's field and getting to work on it. I think the front is OK, but sloping the back down will give it a MUCH more pleasant shape!

Sounds like the heavy tarp is the way to go as long as it isn't covered for long periods of time (we know that can do damage as well!) That will be the fast and easy version, and if I can I will build a small shelter for it.

[mezmo]

Hi 2bits/Thomas,

Sorry to veer off the topic a smidgen but I came across this patent on a
random web search recently. It ties into some of your prior threads about
A-frames and such:

Patent # 3617086 - "Foldable and Transportable Home"

http://www.google.com/patents?id=SNUBAA ... &q&f=false

Just for FYI.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Moho]

Wow that'll teach me to look at posts at 2am. I saw "I will be constructing a new building this year and need a place to store my trailer while the building is under construction" gawd too old to be up that late responding to posts, lol

[canned o minimum]

Since you will need a place to "store" the trailer once it is done, "I" would opt fer buildin a carport cover and jus maybe use shade cloth fer the 3 sides to keep it safe from the elements. Then ya could jus fill in the 3 sides with permanent walls later.

I made MY carport outta one a them tarp cover carports that ya buy at Pep Boys. I jus cut the frame(pipes) and reduced the size a bit to fit my teardrop inside. Then I covered it with aluminum sheets. That was a thrifty "cover" fer my teardrop.

Much like our trailers, there are a million different ways to make a "cover" or carport...

[aggie79]

Thomas,

Another thought came to mind when you mentioned using a tarp. I don't know how well they work, but I've seen a carport frame made out of EMT conduit, fittings, straps, and a tarp. This is a company that sells kits:

http://www.creativeshelters.com/Canopy-Kits/Canopy-Kits-Directory.aspx

A kit includes everything but the conduit which you buy locally. A 10' x 15' or 10' x 20' carport goes for about $120-140.

Seems like this would be a pretty good alternative.

Take care,
Tom

[wired]

Thomas,

Another thought came to mind when you mentioned using a tarp. I don't know how well they work, but I've seen a carport frame made out of EMT conduit, fittings, straps, and a tarp. This is a company that sells kits:

http://www.creativeshelters.com/Canopy-Kits/Canopy-Kits-Directory.aspx

A kit includes everything but the conduit which you buy locally. A 10' x 15' or 10' x 20' carport goes for about $120-140.

Seems like this would be a pretty good alternative.


Take care,
Tom

Thanks for the Creative Shelters link, Tom.
I was thinking of designing a lean to type shelter to store the TD on the side of the house using the rafter ends as support on the high side. Creative Shelters has a design program that let me do exactly that, and I will be ordering from them once the TD is finished!

Paul

[eddie6775]

Just a couple of weeks ago I was thinking about using PVC pipe and a tarp for a shelter to start my build when my wife reminded me of the garage. I said honey... My Triumph is in there waiting to be finished! and then it hit me.

'Oh...yeah I'm going out to finish the car dear...'

She just laughed. I'm lucky to have a place to work, but if I didn't, I'd go with 2" PVC and any hardware I needed to fasten a nice tarp on the top and sides. I built a small hot house for my garden that way and it holds up pretty good! Best of luck with your build!